Rare 1979 Cadillac DeVille Convertible Arizona Auction Bound

American auto manufacturers quit building convertibles such as the Cadillac DeVille in the mid-1970s for a number of reasons. The first was the rumored advent of U.S. federal rollover standards that no convertible would pass. Secondly, there had been a steady decrease in demand for drop tops, likely due to the decline in the cost of adding air conditioning. Another possible cause may have been fuel economy, as convertibles needed additional heavy reinforcement to make up for the loss of structural rigidity when the top is removed. That additional weight would cut down on fuel efficiency at a time when the U.S. was experiencing an energy crisis. All of this combined to end convertible production for most GM cars in 1975, and for Cadillac in 1976.

The final year for Cadillac DeVille convertible production was 1970. With the debut of the redesigned fourth-generation Cadillac DeVille in 1971, the convertible model was eliminated. A factory Cadillac DeVille convertible was never again built, and the DeVille model drove off into the sunset with the end of the eighth generation in 2005.

So, how would someone who loved the fifth-generation 1979 Cadillac Deville get a rag top version? If you had the time and money, you would send your brand-new DeVille to the master coachbuilders at Hess & Eisenhardt for their Le Cabriolet conversion. About 100 Cadillac DeVilles received this treatment, and were sold through Cadillac dealers. Our feature DeVille is one of those 100.

Finished in Cotillion White over a red leather interior, this Cadillac DeVille is powered by a 425 cubic-inch overhead-valve V8 backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. The DeVille is equipped with Cadillac chrome-spoked wire wheels, Vogue whitewall tires, Hess & Eisenhardt Le Cabriolet emblems and hood ornament, eight-track player and the eight-track delivery tape, power windows, power locks, air conditioning, cruise control, delay wipers, Twilight Sentinel headlights, and wood grain accents throughout the interior. Included in the sale of this rare DeVille is the original set of wheels with wire wheel covers, an NOS GM car chemical set, and the owner’s manual.

This rare 1979 Cadillac DeVille convertible will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Glendale, Arizona sale Friday, March 21^st.